SAFECO FIELD -- The Mariners rotation was dealt another major blow on Friday as James Paxton was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a left forearm strain.
Paxton has dealt with soreness during his last two starts and felt continued discomfort as he threw on Thursday.
"It sucks," Paxton said. "Not what I wanted to happen, obviously. ... Luckily it's a minor thing. It's not going to be a long stint here, I think three at the most, and then I'll be back."
Paxton said he began to feel the issue in Detroit after a long break between innings. He continued to feel it last week and through his start Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels.
"I just thought it was normal soreness after the Detroit game. I didn't think it was anything especially since throwing there was zero pain throwing so I didn't think it was an issue," Paxton said.
General manager Jerry Dipoto said the issue is a Grade 1 strain.
"James had a little bit of soreness, as he described it, when we were in Detroit and it bothered him through his last outing against the Angels and he went out to throw yesterday and he felt a degree of soreness," Dipoto said. "We sent him in for an MRI and he went through it. Fortunately, I think we're dodged a bullet with this one.
"There is no sign of anything else. The ligament is fine, there is no tear, but we're going to be as cautious here as we have to be. He will miss at least two starts and we think the likelihood is that's what it will be is two missed starts. We'll see him next home stand is we approach this the right way. We're going to ballpark it at 2-3 starts and two weeks and see where he is."
The Mariners called up infielder Mike Freeman and right-handed pitcher Evan Marshall to address current needs on the roster. In addition to putting Paxton on the DL, outfielder Boog Powell was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to create the space for Freeman and Marshall on the 25-man roster.
Sunday's starter in Paxton's spot in the rotation is still to be determined. Either Dillon Overton or Tacoma starter Christian Bergman will get the ball depending on how the next two games play out. Bergman will be called up this weekend but the starting decision will be a manager's decision.
Paxton is the third Mariners starter to land on the disabled list this season along with Felix Hernandez and Drew Smyly.
Smyly is still several weeks away from resuming throwing after a left arm flexor strain led to him being shut down late in spring training. Hernandez went on the disabled list on April 26 with right shoulder inflammation. Hernandez is making good progress and could return in just a couple of weeks.
And that doesn't account for Hisashi Iwakuma and Ariel Miranda each taking line drives off their legs the last two nights.
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 10: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros in the home opener at Safeco Field on April 10, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)